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The Queen’s love for Balmoral Castle, her Scottish estate, is very well known. But some of the tourists and hikers who decided to fend off the heatwave by visiting the Aberdeenshire have not been too kind to the area, as reported by staff at the estate itself. 

Taking to social media over the weekend, staff at Balmoral Castle shared pictures showing paths and the basis of monuments being littered by disrespectful tourists.

On Saturday evening, Balmoral_Castle, the official Twitter account of the estate, shared four pictures showing tissues and wipes contaminating nature.

The message read: “Disappointed to see so many wipes discarded on the Estate today.

“Next to paths and monuments. 

“Please remember there are no public toilets open for miles around at the moment.”

Answering to Twitter user 24cammo, the staff clarified these wipes are often non biodegradable, creating dangerous waste for animals in the estate.

The staff told the user: “Part of the problem is that we are seeing a lot of non biodegradable wipes being discarded in the countryside.

“Also, people are choosing to relieve themselves right next to busy paths or monuments rather than move a little bit further away to avoid contamination.”  

The Twitter user replied: “I see, thank you for that clarification.

“It really is an important topic and one that can’t be ignored.

“Also a little embarrassing or culturally off-limits maybe we can all work to change that. Have a good day.”     

But trash left for rangers to pick up isn’t the only problem outlined by staff at Balmoral.

Public toilets were closed in late March among other public locations to safeguard the health of people in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

While some local councils are gradually reopening loos deemed safe enough as the lockdown ease, the ones near Balmoral Castle are still locked up.

However, not all tourists are taking into account this measure, and some appear to be happy to relieve themselves near paths or monuments, according to rangers. 

In a second tweet, the staff at Balmoral added: “Whilst toilets are closed.

“If you need to pee, please do so at least 30 metres from lochs or streams.

“If you need to defecate, do so as far away as possible from buildings, paths, water courses and farm animals.

“Bury faeces in a shallow hole and replace the turf.” 

In a similar post on Facebook, the staff published a picture of the local public loos locked up, saying: “Please be aware.

“The public toilets, managed by Aberdeenshire Council, near Loch Muick are closed.

“Unfortunately, people have been breaking into them and conditions inside are becoming unsanitary.”

Many social media users were quick to express their disgust over similar behaviours.

Victoria Ann wrote on Twitter: “I can’t believe you actually have to tell people this”.

Jen Nelson wrote on Facebook: “What is wrong with this world, it’s in such a sad disrespectful state.”

Another social media user branded these individuals breaking decency rules “utterly selfish and despicable”.

Heather Cambridge wrote on Facebook: “I honestly dismay at what has happened to the public in this country.

“Firstly they’ve chosen to break the rules advised by government to travel no more than around 5 miles from your home for leisure.

“Secondly, they have BROKEN IN to closed facilities.

“Thirdly, in doing the aforementioned, they’ve now created a whole new problem & expense for the Estate, or in other cases local authorities or other business who are already going through a difficult period.

“I honestly despair. Utterly selfish & despicable individuals.”

There are several walking routes through Balmoral hikers and tourists can follow to explore the beautiful surrounding.

The Queen also enjoys walking in the estate, and has been spotted in the past by a few visitors.

The monarch usually travels to Scotland at the end of July and remains there until early October, visited by several members of her extended family throughout the summer.   

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